- Sunday October 22nd, @ 6:00 am – 5:00 pm
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED FOR THIS EVENT
This is a beginner-friendly one day retreat in which we will learn and practice the forms of meditation together. Instead of a dharma talk, after the breakfast break we will workshop our sitting postures, finding more ease in our upright meditation. We will go over basic zendo forms such as how to enter and exit the zendo, and how to do kinhin (often translated as walking meditation).
We will have breakfast and lunch in the zendo, using the practice called oryoki, a formalized and mindful way of eating that has connections with Japanese tea ceremony. After lunch there will be a silent work period, followed by body practice, and formal, silent tea in the zendo mid-afternoon, which offers a chance to experience a different form of giving and receiving refreshment. The day will end by 5 pm.
Private meeting with a teacher will be offered by signup during the retreat.
- Orientation October 21, 7pm (instruction in oryoki, Zen meal form, and retreat guidelines, short period of meditation)*
- First period of zazen Saturday morning, 6 am (seats are assigned in the zendo, bring your own cushions if you like)
- Breakfast and lunch will be served in the zendo; afternoon work period and silent tea in the zendo will be provided as well.
- Dokusan/practice discussion will be offered (sign up during the retreat itself)
There is not a Zoom option for attending this event.
This day of practice is highly recommended as preparation for longer retreats and as a way of exploring what arises when we put down everything for one day and engage wholeheartedly in making zazen the basis of our every activity and experience on and off the cushion. Please join us!
Questions about schedule and practice activities may be directed to the Guiding Teacher choro@austinzencenter.org
Questions about fees and registration should go to our Admin, Maida Barbour admin@austinzencenter.org
*Two videos which present the oryoki meal form: Rev. Mako Voelkel is here; also recommended, Rev. Linda Ruth Cutts series of short videos, recorded at San Francisco Zen Center. We mostly follow these forms.
AZC is committed to making practice and the teachings available to all. Please contact Administrator Maida Barbour at 512-452-5777 or email admin@austinzencenter.org if event fees are a barrier to participation for you.